DES MOINES, Iowa -- Drake women's track star Marissa Smith (Ajax, Ontario) will be competing for Canada in the NACAC Under-23 championships. The competition will be held in Guanajuato, Mexico July 6-8. It will be the first opportunity for Smith, a rising senior, to represent her country at a major international competition.

Smith's selection by the Athletics Canada was much in part to her recent success running for the Bulldogs. Smith claimed two MVC titles this past year, the MVC indoor 60-meter hurdles in 8.44 and the MVC outdoor 100-meter hurdles in 13.57, which were both school records at the time.

Smith carried her outdoor success to the national level, reaching the NCAA West regional semifinals in the 100-meter hurdles. Her time of 13.39 missed the finals, but shattered previous school and personal bests.

"[Marissa] has had a great season," Coach Kevin Henderson said. "She keeps reaping the rewards of being successful. I think it sets her up next year for the world championship team."

The NACAC, or North American, Central American, and Caribbean Athletic Association have held the bi-annual championships since 2000. Smith will compete in the 100-meter hurdles on Saturday, July 7, in her qualifying heat. With a win in the event she would become the first Canadian to win a hurdling event since Tawa Babtunde won the 400-meter hurdles in 2000. None of Smith's countrywomen have ever won the 100-meter hurdles.